Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Etiology of autism spectrum disorders: Genes, environment, or both?

Etiology of autism spectrum disorders: Genes, environment, or both?

Shaw CA, Sheth S, Li D, Tomljenovic L. Etiology of autism spectrum disorders: Genes, environment, or both? OA Autism 2014 Jun 10;2(2):11.

http://www.oapublishinglondon.com/article/1368#

Weighted Blankets Made with Hugs in Wilton, CT

Weighted Blankets
Made with Hugs in Wilton, CT

Gloria Bass has been helping people with special needs here at home (and elsewhere) for a very long time. Not only is her work motivated out of family love, but she helped build the Wilton Family Y Special Needs program and has advocated on the state and federal levels to help protect children who learn differently in school.
Now she has started a business called Sensory Snuggle Blankets, hand-making therapeutic weighted blankets. They help children and adults with autism, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, hyperactivity and other challenges by gently providing pressure to helping calm and soothe. It’s something she learned about years ago.
Read more.....http://sensorysnuggles.com/about

Same measles strain seen in Calif., Philippines outbreaks

From Reuters (2/18):

Same measles strain seen in Calif., Philippines outbreaks

Researchers at the California Department of Public Health have found that 30 measles specimens they examined from cases in the state belong to the genotype B3, the strain associated with a recent outbreak in the Philippines. The strain has been observed in 14 countries as well as at least six states in the U.S. within the previous six months, officials said.

Antioxidant Reverses Multiple Sclerosis-Like Disease In Mice

From MitoQ: The Official Blog for Healthy Aging

Antioxidant Reverses Multiple Sclerosis-Like Disease In Mice

A single antioxidant could hold the key to eradicating multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have discovered that the antioxidant MitoQ can reverse symptoms in a mouse model of the neurodegenerative disease. The findings stand to transform the outlook for millions of patients worldwide...

Common Allergy Medication May Be Effective at Killing the Bacteria That Causes Lyme Disease

From Infection Control Today (2/10/15):

Common Allergy Medication May Be Effective at Killing the Bacteria That Causes Lyme Disease

http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/…/common-allergy-medic…

The Myth Of Vaccine Safety

Christie supports parental choice in child immunizations

From Reuters (2/2):
Christie supports parental choice in child immunizations

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, called for balance in the child immunization debate, saying that parents should have some "measure of choice" regarding the issue. New Jersey Assemblyman Herb Conaway called Christie's comments "irresponsible." Conaway, a Democrat, added, "The only thing government has to balance is what's best for the overall public health, and that means unambiguously supporting vaccinations."

Nestlé Health Science to Invest $65 Million in a Biotech Start-Up

From NY Times (1/6/15):

Nestlé Health Science to Invest $65 Million in a Biotech Start-Up
By Michael J. de la Merced

"Four years after opening for business, a subsidiary of Nestlé specializing in nutritional therapy is striking one of its most prominent investments to date with a bet on experimental treatments for the bacteria within the human body.
Nestlé Health Science plans to announce on Tuesday that it has invested $65 million in Seres Health, a start-up based in Cambridge, Mass., that focuses on restoring the “microbiome” — the host of microorganisms that provide vital functions for humans. The company’s current focus includes treatments for infectious diseases as well as metabolic and inflammatory illnesses...."
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/…/nestle-health-sciences-to-i…/…

Scrutiny for Laxatives as a Childhood Remedy

From NY Times (1/5/15):
Scrutiny for Laxatives as a Childhood Remedy

By CATHERINE SAINT LOUIS
The Food and Drug Administration has raised new questions about the safety of an adult laxative routinely given to constipated children, sometimes daily for years....

CDC predicts a tough flu season

From HealthDay News (12/4):

CDC predicts a tough flu season

CDC officials warned that the flu vaccine may be less effective than usual this year, contributing to a difficult flu season. The aggressive H3N2 strain -- responsible for more flu-related deaths than others -- is circulating, and testing has identified mutations that may reduce vaccine efficacy. The CDC recommends doctors immediately give antiviral drugs to patients believed to be infected, especially young children, seniors and patients with chronic diseases, instead of waiting for test results.

Study ties preeclampsia to childhood autism, developmental delay

From Medical News Today (12/9):
Study ties preeclampsia to childhood autism, developmental delay

Mothers of children with either developmental delay or autism were more likely to have suffered severe preeclampsia, placental insufficiency or both during pregnancy than mothers who had typically developing offspring, according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics.

How much arsenic is in your rice?

How much arsenic is in your rice?

Consumer Reports' new data and guidelines are important for everyone but especially for gluten avoiders

http://www.consumerreports.org/…/how-much-arsenic…/index.htm

Heavy metal poisoning: probiotic could protect children, pregnant women

10/7/14: Heavy metal poisoning: probiotic could protect children, pregnant women

According to a recent study published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, yogurt containing probiotic bacteria successfully protected children and pregnant women against the effects of heavy metal exposure.

A comparison of temporal trends in United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors

From Environmental Health (9/5/14):

A comparison of temporal trends in United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors

by Cynthia D Nevison
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/13/1/73/abstract

This Physician’s Assessment of Flu Vaccines in Pregnancy

From Safe Minds (9/24/14): This Physician’s Assessment of Flu Vaccines in Pregnancy
By Cindy Schneider, M.D., SafeMinds Scientific & Clinical Advisory Board Member

http://www.safeminds.org/…/physicians-assessment-flu-vacci…/

Mothers of children with autism less likely to have taken iron supplements in pregnancy, study shows

From Science Daily (9/22):

Mothers of children with autism less likely to have taken iron supplements in pregnancy, study shows

Mothers of children with autism are significantly less likely to report taking iron supplements before and during their pregnancies than the mothers of children who are developing normally, a study by researchers.

Article: Autism research study finds treatment in infants removes symptoms

Article: Autism research study finds treatment in infants removes symptoms

http://blog.sfgate.com/…/autism-research-study-finds-treat…/